The Quezon City People’s Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) and the Philippine National Police - Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) will be signing a memorandum of agreement (MOA) that will help avoid conflicts on the jurisdiction of cases of the two disciplinary bodies, the local government announced on Sunday, July 31.
The signing of the first-ever MOA will be held at the QC Mayor’s Office at around 4 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 1.
According to the local government, the PLEB will be represented by Lawyer Rafael Calinisan, the board’s executive officer, while Insp. Gen. Alfegar Triambulo will lead the PNP-IAS during the signing.
It said that there have been cases in the past where rogue and scheming police officers have resorted to “legal technicalities” to have their cases dismissed allegedly due to “forum shopping.”
It added that the MOA aims to avoid conflicts between the two bodies with respect to jurisdiction of cases, and will underscore the continuing partnership of the police and the community in ensuring a better and safer living environment.
The PLEB is the check and balance mechanism created by law against erring police officers, according to the city government.
It has the power to hear and decide on complaints filed by citizens against any uniformed PNP members. It also decides each cases “summarily.”
Meanwhile, the PNP-IAS was mandated to administer investigation of police misconduct and to instill discipline among the PNP personnel (www.ias.org.ph).
“This MOA will eliminate any gray area in our quest to dispense justice. Victims of police abuses can freely choose where they would like to seek redress from, as they should. The PLEB will not be precluded from initiating and continuing its own investigation and resolution of police abuse cases just because the PNP-IAS has already conducted its own investigation,” Calinisan said.
“The PNP-IAS is the partner of the community in ensuring that policemen would serve and protect the country. Rest assured that with everybody’s help, the men in uniform, your PNP, will be servants of the people,” Triambulo said.
Mayor Joy Belmonte, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Maj. Gen. Felipe Natividad and Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Director Brig. Gen. Remus Medina will serve as the witnesses of the MOA signing.
“In Quezon City, we will ensure that all systems are in place so the community will feel safe and secure in their homes. We commend our PLEB as they serve as an effective watchdog against abusive cops, yet they continue to serve as partners to our men in uniform towards nation-building,” the mayor said.